( Photo Credit: NHL.com )

By: Mark Allred | Follow me on Twitter @BlackAndGold277

This morning Boston Hockey Now writer and Boston Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association chairman Joe Haggerty announced that the group voted Jake DeBrusk as the 2021-22 Masterton Trophy nominee. The Bill Masterton is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

In 74 games played, DeBrusk has 23-16-39 numbers, with three games remaining in the 2021-22 NHL regular season. As Haggerty mentioned in his tweet above, DeBrusk hasn’t been happy with his game in Boston and requested a trade from the Boston Bruins organization. With his trade request made public towards the end of 2021, most thought he would be traded around the NHL deadline.

Furthering the speculation of movement elsewhere to get a new start for Jake was when B’s management extended him for two years and $4 million per season before the March 21st, 3pm deadline. He was never moved after his extension became official, and both sides are eager to move on, creating a clean slate.

With the deadline in his rearview, DeBrusk did a complete turnaround when he was given first-line right-wing duties alongside veterans Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Since the March 21st date, Jake has 8-5-13 numbers in 17 games and has seemingly turned around his effort for the better regardless of his recent goal drought.

DeBrusk has certainly changed for the better after going through tough times with the pandemic and all to be a better supporting teammate on this Bruins roster and has earned the trust of Head Coach Bruce Cassidy and staff to play on the right side even though he’s a left shooting forward. For his effort to find his game again, let the past be the past, it’s a no-brainer DeBrusk was selected as this year’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee.

Below in no particular order, are the names of the PHWA Boston Chapter members and who they currently write for. Please consider following the folks below for all your up-to-date Bruins news and updates.

Chapter Chairman Joe Haggerty – Boston Hockey Now

Steve ConroyBoston Herald

Ken PowtakAssociated Press

Tim RosenthalBruins Daily

Fluto ShinzawaThe Athletic

Matt PorterBoston Globe

Conor RyanBoston Sports Journal

Ty Anderson98.5 The Sports Hub